Email the superintendent and let him know how bigoted and narrow-minded HE is permitting his principal to be.

deisleys@rlasd.net

http://www.rlasd.net/pages/Red_Lion_ASD/Administration/Administration

Anonymous
Says:
Jun 7th, 2013 at 3:32pm

I would have arranged to pull the plug the plug to the mike just before his name was called and the use a bullhorn to announce his name. Shame on the school.

Anonymous
Says:
Jun 7th, 2013 at 8:37pm

Shame on this school district! Karen Ann Morse

Raz
Says:
Jun 7th, 2013 at 11:37pm

I have to say, I think based on what little actual information is here, this article is both biased, and kind of unnecessary. I appreciate the fight transgendered people have in merely existing in society. However, I also believe that if you truly feel it's the correct life choice for you, that some thought and planning is necessary.

To start off with, most of the TG people I've known have fallen in a similar age category. It may not be true in this case, (always on a person to person basis), but this is the age group most known for radical shifts in thought and preference. There's a reason we look at teenagers and early 20s being times of rashness and making questionable decisions. I think that if you take on a decision of the magnitude of choosing to be labeled as the opposite from your physical gender, you should think, long and hard about it, consider the consequences and benefits, and make an informed decision. Now, understand I'm not saying TG is a choice. I'm saying you make a conscious decision at some point to IDENTIFY as your preferred gender.

Red tape from the government, in the form of name changes, (and if you can get them, changes to your gender identity legally - I'm not sure of status of that or how you go about that personally), seem to be a good thing to me at that time in a person's life. When supported by family, friends, etc, these would give you time to consider that choice. Legally changing your name is something that would give most people pause. If they haven't seriously THOUGHT about what they were doing, that would be enough to. I'm not saying ALL transgender people do this, just that a relatively large margin would be susceptible, and it seems like a fair idea.

And finally, on the look issue, as pointed out to me by a friend, I don't expect some massive change. Either if you choose to be identified a certain way, dress and act the part, or alternatively, don't immediately get mad if someone chooses to identify you with what you look like. That's kinda how we all work. Well, given they're not being a jerk.

Back to the article, as above, I think a simple name change would have resolved this with no need for media attention. Whether that was an option wasn't covered here, which I think is a misnomer. While I don't necessarily 100% agree with Red Lion's stand, being a former alumni, I also don't think it's on them to remember each student's preferred name, other than the legal name they are given at birth, which is on all the rest of their official transcripts/documents/etc. I think while it wasn't the NICEST thing, it was still a reasonable thing for the school to do.

Additionally, according to the article, Issak has the support of family. Which is something a lot of transgendered don't have. I think honestly this should have been resolved before it ever saw print, shortly after, or maybe even some time after the decision to identify as male to others was decided.

Otherwise, well written and I appreciate the information exchanged herein, hoping for some good conversation and legitimate exchange of views, rather than the focused rage I fear will come of this. Thank you.

Anonymous
Says:
Aug 6th, 2013 at 4:19pm

Well said, Raz.

This does seem like a biased article to me as well. I do not see this as an issue at all. If this person wants to be identified as a male and by a name other than his current legal name, then steps should have been taken to legally change the name. I am sure the school would have then read the new name. I would expect any school to read a person's legal name. If your name is Margaret, but you prefer to be called by a nickname, say Maggie, the school will read your name as Margaret because it is your legal name. If this person's family supports his decision to be identified as a boy, why haven't they taken the necessary steps to change his name? He will continue to face this issue unless the name is legally changed. I can't just wake up one day and decide to change my name and expect my employer, my school, and everyone else to start using the new name - not unless I officially change it. I really don't understand why this is an issue - just change the name!

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